Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Thermal applicators
Reexamination Certificate
2011-04-26
2011-04-26
Johnson, III, Henry M. (Department: 3769)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Thermal applicators
C606S041000, C606S052000, C607S100000, C607S122000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07933660
ABSTRACT:
Apparatus for detecting vulnerable plaques embedded in the wall of a patient's blood vessel includes an intravascular catheter containing a microwave antenna, an extracorporeal radiometer having a signal input, a reference input and an output, a cable for electrically connecting the antenna to the signal input, and a device for applying an indication of the patient's normal tissue temperature to the reference input so that when the catheter is moved along the vessel, the locations of the vulnerable plaques are reflected in a signal from the output as thermal anomalies due to the higher emissivity of the vulnerable plaques as compared to the normal tissue. A second embodiment of the apparatus has two coaxial antennas in the catheter serving two radiometers. One measures the temperature at locations in the vessel wall, the other measures the temperature at the surface. By subtracting the two signals, the locations of vulnerable plaque may be visualized.
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Cesari and McKenna
Johnson, III Henry M.
McKenna John F.
Meridian Medical Systems
Roane Aaron
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